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Issues to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Lebanon TN, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of potential students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Perhaps they search for some online options also. Although these are significant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the programs you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the training you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Lebanon TN employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not available for non-accredited colleges.
Is Enough Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an important component of every dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist schools have associations with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only important that the school you select offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Lebanon TN dental office that focuses on dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental schools you are exploring sponsor an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal method to get hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges require assistance getting their first job. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Lebanon TN dental profession in addition to large networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classes Small? Ask the colleges you are interested in how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes generally provide a more personal atmosphere for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Lebanon TN dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.
What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost based on the length of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other substantial costs which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of programs, don't forget to add all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial aid offices, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Lebanon TN area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to confirm that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while receiving your education and have to go to classes near Lebanon TN at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up practice is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family responsibilities.
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